Vol. 79 Issue 7 | Week of February 15-21, 2021 |
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The Season of Lent Begins
During the season of Lent, we transition from proclaiming the teachings of God’s mission revealed in Jesus’ ministry to preparing for our celebration on Resurrection Sunday. We look inward and realign our lives to reflect the spiritual life of Jesus. The 40 days of Lent do not include Sundays. Each Sunday is a mini-Easter; a celebration of God’s light overcoming the darkness of suffering and death. On Ash Wednesday, we take our first steps on this journey of spiritual self-awareness. Preparing to celebrate God’s resurrection of Jesus is like a spiritual spring cleaning of every room, closet, and corner in our lives. In our worship life, as St. John’s, we conclude the Lenten season on Maundy Thursday, remembering words spoken to Jesus while he was on the cross and Jesus’ last words spoken from the cross. This worship service includes the extinguishing of candles and observance of communion.
Lent stems from the Latin word, ‘lencten’ (lengthen). Through forty days, beginning with Ash Wednesday, we move from death to God’s life and darkness to God’s light. As the days of spring lengthen, we confess our sins unto God and repent of our ways of darkness allowing God’s light to penetrate our living. During Lent, through penitence, confession and commitment, we journey together through God’s light of spiritual renewal. Our worship through Lent expresses three commitments of our discipleship: (1) we are committed to be obedient followers of Jesus; (2) we are committed to spiritual growth; (3) we are committed to pursuing discipleship as part of an actively faithful community.
Worship on February 21st: Lent I
This coming Sunday morning we will worship together online to start this season of Lent. We will focus on the scripture-informed life as a dimension of spiritual growth. The scripture passage is Matthew 4:1-11. Dr. Foust will offer a message called, "It Is Written."
The worship video will be available at 8am via our YouTube channel and at our website under the Worship tab for you to view. You can also link to worship from the Realm Connect App Events list.
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Laptop Collection Continues
Since we first put out a notice about the collection of laptops for Refugee Support Services, St. John's members have found unused laptops in their homes and have delivered over 15 to RSS on Central Ave. Thank you!
These laptops are being scrubbed clean of data, refurbished, and new systems installed. The staff at RSS then trains refugee clients in their use, which then enables folks to access some of the services offered at RSS to help them in their adjustment to our community and culture.
If you have one or more laptops (no desktops) you would like to donate, let us know and we will give you details on how to deliver to RSS or we will arrange a pick up from your home.
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Robert's Walk During Safe Place Week
As supporters of The Relatives in Charlotte and hosts of a Safe Place on our campus, we are invited as a community to participate in the annual "Robert's Walk" during the week of March 21-27. The walk follows the path of Robert, a teenager, who was homeless and sleeping on a bench in Freedom Park. One day he walked up East Blvd from the park and saw the yellow Safe Place sign on the porch of the Youth Crisis Center. There he found the help he desperately needed.
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Sign up using the link https://forms.gle/59xFkQfCZKw3jUjQ8 and enter your contact information. Each participant will receive a free walk t-shirt*.
- You can complete your mile at your own pace the entire week of National Safe Place week, March 21-27.
- Snap a photo and share it to your social media using the hashtags #RobertsWalk2021 #WalkAMileWithRobert #BeARelative on Instagram and Facebook!
- After you share about your walk, you will receive this years’ Robert’s Walk 2021 certificate!
Each Robert’s Walk year, we reflect on the journey he took from crisis to safety, stability, and independence. Thank you so much for your participation in advance.
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Vaccine Selfies
Have You Received Your Vaccine?
Send a Selfie and Positive Statement About Your Experience!
In an effort to celebrate and offer hope for the future, we are collecting "Vaccine Selfies" and positive statements about the vaccine from anyone who has received the COVID-19 vaccination.
If you have received the vaccination and have a picture documenting the occasion or if you are planning to get it soon and are willing to take a photo of yourself, please send the picture to Mallory Brown by email at mbrown@sjcharlotte.org OR text it to her at 704-477-3349.
Additionally, you may choose to offer a few words describing how you felt after getting the vaccine. Hopeful? Excited? Nervous? What was your experience like?
These photos and statements will be shared on St. John's affiliated social media in order to provide hope and positivity around the vaccine! Please share your photo and statement today!
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Prayer Concerns, Thanks & Sympathy |
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Polly Hull, Gene & Carol Poole, Elma Thomas,
Alison Zieglmeier (daughter of Ken and Donna Scott),
Andrew Adair, Barbara Ledford, Tom Bryson,
Carol Hager (sister of Betty Harkey), Carole Ann Simpson,
Brad Sifford, Deacon Jones
Sympathy to Jerry McNeill and family in the passing of his wife, Willa McNeill on February 10. The service to celebrate the life and ministry of Willa McNeill will be held on Saturday, February 20 at 1pm on Facebook Live. Please log onto Facebook a bit before 1pm and go to the Facebook page for St. John's Baptist Church to watch the service. After the service is over, we will make the service available on our St. John's YouTube. Family only are attending in person.
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of February 10-16: $29,320
Income through February 16: $148,755
Annual 2021 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,175,000
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You can make contributions, view your giving history and pledge status, as well as update your pledge and giving information anytime by accessing your personal
Realm profile online or via the Connect App.
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Contact the Staff
To email a staff member, click on their name below
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